Saying goodbye is never easy, whether it’s a relative, friend, or coworker. Last month, I was sad to say goodbye to my dear colleague, Ron Rajecki, who has been the editor of FROSTlines for the last three years. Ron has decided to pursue another “adventure” in the HVAC industry, and he leaves behind some very large shoes to fill. Ron is definitely one-of-a-kind — funny, smart, and extremely generous. That’s a rare combination to find in a friend, let alone a coworker, and I will miss his humorous musings on life. As you probably will, too.
Which brings me to the topic of appreciation. As Joni Mitchell famously sang, “Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got 'till it's gone.” I don’t think I ever told Ron that I appreciated his sense of humor or the concise way he summarized complicated refrigerant issues in The NEWS. I often thought about saying something, but I never followed through, thinking, “I’ll say something next time I talk to him.” But then I got busy with other things, and I forgot.